Information processing device, method of controlling the device, computer readable medium, and security system

Abstract

An information processing device includes a power control section and a function-suppressing section. The power control section switches between a predetermined mode and a low-power mode on the basis of a pre-specified setting condition relating to power consumption of the information processing device. The low-power mode is lower in electricity consumption quantities than the predetermined mode. When switching from the low-power mode to the predetermined mode in a period of operation of an external security apparatus, the function-suppressing section suppresses a part of functions of the device in the predetermined mode.

1. An information processing device comprising:
 a control section that determines whether an external security apparatus that detects a change in an environment of the information processing device, which results from operation of at least one function of the information processing device, is in operation; 
 a power control section that, in response to the control section determining that the external security apparatus is in operation, controls the information processing device to operate in a reduced operating mode in which the at least one function of the information processing device is suppressed; and 
 a time assignment section that assigns a period in which the external security apparatus is in operation. 
 
     
     
       2. The information processing device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a display section that displays at least one of an operation state and a setting state of the information processing device,
 wherein the at least one function comprises a brightness of the display section. 
 
     
     
       3. The information processing device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a light scanning section that scans light in accordance with image information for forming an image,
 wherein the at least one function comprises an operation speed of the light scanning section. 
 
     
     
       4. The information processing device according to  claim 2 , further comprising a light scanning section that scans light in accordance with image information for forming an image,
 wherein the at least one function comprises an operation speed of the light scanning section. 
 
     
     
       5. The information processing device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a fixing section that fixes an image which has been formed on a recording medium; and 
 a ventilation section that lowers a temperature inside the information processing device in response to a temperature increase inside the information processing device by operation of the fixing section, and 
 wherein the at least one function comprises a rotation speed of the ventilation section. 
 
     
     
       6. The information processing device according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a fixing section that fixes an image which has been formed on a recording medium; and 
 a ventilation section that lowers a temperature inside the information processing device in response to a temperature increase inside the information processing device by operation of the fixing section, and 
 wherein the at least one function comprises a rotation speed of the ventilation section. 
 
     
     
       7. The information processing device according to  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a fixing section that fixes an image which has been formed on a recording medium; and 
 a ventilation section that lowers a temperature inside the information processing device in response to a temperature increase inside the information processing device by operation of the fixing section, and 
 wherein the at least one function comprises a rotation speed of the ventilation section. 
 
     
     
       8. The information processing device according to  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a fixing section that fixes an image which has been formed on a recording medium; and 
 a ventilation section that lowers a temperature inside the information processing device in response to a temperature increase inside the information processing device by operation of the fixing section, and 
 wherein the at least one function comprises a rotation speed of the ventilation section. 
 
     
     
       9. An information processing device comprising:
 a control section that determines whether an external security apparatus that detects a change in an environment of the information processing device, which results from operation of at least one function of the information processing device, is in operation; 
 a power control section that, in response to the control section determining that the external security apparatus is in operation, controls the information processing device to operate in a reduced operating mode in which the at least one function of the information processing device is suppressed; and 
 an external light detection section that detects external light in the environment around the information processing device, 
 wherein the control section determines that the external security apparatus is in operation if the external light detected by the external light detection section is less than a predetermined level. 
 
     
     
       10. The information processing device according to  claim 2 , further comprising an external light detection section that detects external light in the environment around the information processing device,
 wherein the control section determines that the external security apparatus is in operation if the external light detected by the external light detection section is less than a predetermined level. 
 
     
     
       11. A method of controlling an information processing device, comprising:
 assigning a period in which the external security apparatus is in operation; 
 determining whether an external security apparatus that detects a change in an environment of the information processing device that results from operation of at least one function of the information processing device is in operation, based on the assigned period; 
 controlling the information processing apparatus to operate in a reduced operating mode in which the at least one function of the information processing device is suppressed, in response to determining that the external security apparatus is in operation. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of controlling an information processing device according to  claim 11 , wherein the controlling comprises displaying at least one of an operation state and a setting state of the information processing device and suppressing a brightness of the displayed at least one of the operation state and the setting state of the information processing device. 
     
     
       13. A security system comprising:
 an external security apparatus comprising a transmission section that sends information relating to a time period of operation thereof; and 
 an information processing device comprising 
 a reception section that receives the information relating to the time period of operation of the external security apparatus, 
 a power control section that switches between a predetermined mode and a low-power mode on the basis of a pre-specified setting condition relating to power consumption of the information processing device, the low-power mode being lower in a power consumption quantity than the predetermined mode, and 
 a function-suppressing section that, when switching from the low-power mode to the predetermined mode in the time period of operation of the external security apparatus, suppresses at least one function of the information processing device in the predetermined mode. 
 
     
     
       14. The security system according to  claim 13 , wherein the information processing device further comprises a display section that displays at least one of an operation state and a setting state of the information processing device, and
 the function-suppressing section suppresses a brightness of the display section relative to the predetermined mode. 
 
     
     
       15. A computer readable medium storing a program causing a computer to execute a process for controlling an information processing device, the process comprising:
 assigning a period in which the external security apparatus is in operation; 
 determining whether an external security apparatus that detects a change in an environment of the information processing device that results from operation of at least one function of the information processing device is in operation, based on the assigned period; 
 controlling the information processing apparatus to operate in a reduced operating mode in which the at least one function of the information processing device is suppressed, in response to determining that the external security apparatus is in operation. 
 
     
     
       16. The computer readable medium storing a program causing a computer to execute a process for controlling an information processing device according to  claim 15 , wherein the controlling comprises displaying at least one of an operation state and a setting state of the information processing device and suppressing a brightness of the displayed at least one of the operation state and the setting state of the information processing device.